Understanding and forecasting performance reliability before commercial operation is the only way to minimise uncertainty, build market confidence, and reduce the levelised cost of energy.

Our world-leading research capability allows us to participate in large-scale collaborative developments, as well as  innovative commercial and public funded projects that uncover new approaches to allow the offshore renewable energy sector to overcome the challenges of the future. Our multi-disciplined team of highly qualified researchers, coupled with our full-scale testing facilities, have developed specialist knowledge and expertise in the areas of blades, power trains and electrical infrastructures.

Our research is industry-led; the research strategy is influenced by consultations with key stakeholders including owner/operators, OEMs, the top-tier supply chain, SMEs, and innovators. Outputs from these consultations are then combined with research community engagement, particularly academic engagement. This results in the formation of three key research programmes fulfilling many fundamental elements of the offshore renewable energy industry and relevant technology developments.

Our applied research projects focus on Technology Readiness Level 3 upwards – ranging from proof-of-concept and system tests, through to demonstration and commercialisation. This research covers three key areas: testing and validation of new technologies, operational performance and disruptive innovation. Each area or programme, contains sub-programmes of activity in the following knowledge areas:  Rotors, Powertrains, Electrical Infrastructures, Foundations/Structures and Wind & Ocean Conditions (incl. Resource Assessment).